A while ago I was given a Himalayan Salt Lamp as a gift. For me this is the ideal gift, not only is it a gorgeous addition to a rock collector’s décor, but it also boasts to purify the air and help with many conditions, including allergies and migraines, and I am affected by both. The salt lamp is a big hunk of pink halite (a sodium based rock). It can be cut into various shapes; mine just takes on the natural “hunk of rock” look. There is a wooden base and the rock is slightly hollowed out to fit a small night light bulb. The claim is that the lamp is a natural air purifier regardless if it is turned on or not, however the benefits are supposed to be greater when heated. The pamphlet I got with the lamp explains how it works; I’m no chemistry genius so I’ll just quote a little,
“When Himalayan Natural Crystal Salt is heated by a light bulb or candle flame, the ionic bonding of the salt molecule is disintegrated, resulting in the creation of sodium and chlorine ions. Upon the break up of these two atoms, the chlorine takes with it, the electron from the outer shell of the sodium. The chlorine now has an extra electron making it negatively charged. It is these negative ions that take off in flight cleaning the air by removing harmful positively charged particles, such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, smoke, odors, mold and bacteria.”
Now before you decide to go out and get one of these beauties right away, I suggest glancing over the Skeptical Alchemist’s blog regarding these lamps. http://skeptalchemist.blogspot.com/2007/04/may-ions-be-with-you.html. The author scientifically debunks why the lamps don’t work, as well as points out some reasoning flaws in some of the statements made by its champions. Additionally it is possible the workers who mine this product from the mountains may not be working in ideal or humane conditions.
All in all, while I don’t like the prospect of owning something that may have been inhumanely obtained at some point in it’s journey, it is still a beautiful piece. I may not be benefiting from any air purification but it still looks nice in my office.
3 comments:
While I am not sure about spurious claims about health and Salt Lamps we find them beautiful... check them out at www.SaltLampCreations.com
they might be beautiful, but they are being sold as "air purifiers", that's what bugs me. If you people simply sold them because of their decorative value, it would be different.
There is no evidence that these lamps can "purify" the air. Period. At least, not that I know of.
Steppenwolf
We agree that the main attraction of the Salt Lamp is their beauty. We say that is the reason to buy one and any health benefits would be a plus. While the scientific research on the the "air purification" theory there is truth to the statements that Salt Lamps produce some Negative Ions, and that Negative Ions do attract dust and pollens to the source helping knock them out of the air. Additionally it is a fact that Salt Lamps are Hygroscopic, neaning that they pull moisture from the air, and along with that moistures comes a certain amount of airborne particles that are in turn eliminated. Our customers are the ones that write us letters about feeling the air is fresher, being able to breathe more clearly, but again our main statement is that they should be purchased becasue they are am expression of Nature's handiwork and a beautiful addition to one's home. You can read more of our story at www.SaltLampCreations.com
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